When posing for family pictures, adults should glue all eyes on the camera. That split second when your child finally looks at the camera just might be the one shot we get at this, and 99 times out of a hundred, you’re looking at the child when she finally looks at me. Plaster a natural smile on your face too. Practice in the mirror by laughing from your belly. (How do you think models do it?)
We actually can learn something from the politicians: Never, ever, hold a baby or toddler by the crotch when there are cameras present.
Leave all bulky things that normally reside in your pockets (cell phones, keys, the box of baby wipes) in the car or at home. Moms, your purse should be minimal in size and should go with your clothing.
If you have a certain shot in mind that you want, tell me about it! I’ll do my best to try to get it for you. I’m not a mind reader.
Laugh a little, unless I tell you to be cool “like a GQ ad.”
“Be cool like a GQ ad” means don’t smile; look sexy; think “hey baby,” “come hither” whatever works for you. Open legs might be ok just this once, as long as it’s part of the coolness.
If we’re shooting newborn pictures and the baby pees on you, laugh with me about it. If the baby pees on me, laugh with me about it. (Otherwise, I’ll feel really bad for laughing at you.) If your 8-year-old pees on me, I’m going home.
About ice cream and lollipops and temper tantrums: If dad is going to freak out about Robin taking photos of your children “consuming so much sugar for all the family to see,” and then yanks the lollipops out of the kids’ hands thus leaving us with screaming crying kids, we’ve just lost a bunch of time trying to get the kids and dad to let go of the temper tantrum. So moms, be sensitive to temper tantrum-causing activities, and avoid at all costs.
Just this once, dad and mom, DON’T freak out about the little stuff. If your child melts down over the fact that you won’t let her take her shoes off to walk in the fountain, it’s likely the photo shoot is over and you just wasted big bucks bringing me here. But there’s a fine line between bribery and just going with the flow, so when in doubt, let me decide how to handle a delicate potential melt-down situation. If I need your help, I’ll ask you quietly. We don’t want the child to know she’s in charge.
Moms, it’s perfectly acceptable to bribe your husband into behaving while I’m there. You have lots of great things he wants. Promise him the world after the shoot. Free time works great, but couple time is even better. Whispering sexy things in his ear during the shoot is not only ticklish, it’s a great photo op! Oooh baby, now we’re talking.
Don’t give your children options if they have no option. If you expect him to wear his brown shirt, then don’t say, “Do you want to change your shirt now?“ Just start taking the old one off, and put the new one on.
Don’t threaten your children with punishment during our shoot, especially if the punishment is related to the shoot plans. (For example: don’t say, “Smile or else you can’t go to the pool with us later“ if family pictures at the pool is our next location destination.)
Consider changing your daughter’s hair style with the wardrobe change. Bring a brush, hairbows, different clips and hairbands for some fun and different looks. Sunglasses are a fun distraction too!
Chewing gum is bad! Your mouth will look funny in weird chewy positions, and if I have to photoshop out gum in your mouth, it’s going to cost you $100 per image.
There’s no hiding gum in the back of the mouth; I can always see it.
Chewing bubble gum at the very end of your shoot can be fun. Blow a big bubble and let it pop all over your face at the moment when I’ve worn out my welcome. That’ll be a cool shot and then I’m gone!
I will do my best to get pictures of your children together, but it doesn’t always work out. It is more likely to happen, though, if you let me make it happen. Kids get stressed out by too many cooks in our photo kitchen, so relax and let me be the chef.
If you have long hair, don’t hide behind it. Moms tend to let their hair fall while turning to look at the child, thereby completely obstructing mom’s face and wasting what might have been a great shot!
Expect to get some couple time with your spouse during our shoot. You’ll be holding hands again, and cuddling, so be ready for some serious hugging and tickling and piggyback rides!